MLB Puts Gibbons's Suspension on Hold

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 28 -- Baltimore Orioles left fielder Jay Gibbons will be eligible to play the first 10 days of the regular season after Major League Baseball granted a temporary hold on his 15-day suspension on Friday.

Commissioner Bud Selig suspended Gibbons in December after a report on Sports Illustrated's Web site, SI.com, linked him to the purchase of human growth hormone. Gibbons later admitted to using HGH.

"You know, I know he was looking at a case-to-case basis," said Gibbons, who was disciplined even though he did not fail a drug test. "But to say I wasn't confused about it would be a lie."

MLB also put Kansas City Royals outfielder Jos¿ Guill¿n's 15-day suspension on hold. The league and the players' union are negotiating an agreement that would call for more frequent drug testing and strengthen the authority of the program administration. If an agreement is reached, the suspensions of both players likely would be rescinded.

Gibbons's future with the Orioles also remains in question. Gibbons, 31, is owed $11.9 million over the final two years of his contract. But he has been injury-prone during his career and hit just .230 last season, when he was limited to 84 games before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Baltimore must submit its 25-man Opening Day roster by 3 p.m. on Sunday.

"Like I said, as far as I know, I'm going out there Opening Day now, unless something else happens," Gibbons said.

Orioles Manager Dave Trembley said he has not reached a decision regarding Gibbons's roster status. President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail said a decision is unlikely until Sunday's deadline.

"I haven't determined it at this point," MacPhail said. "I was waiting to see what the ruling [on the suspension] was going to be. Now that we know, we have a couple of days to finalize our roster and that's what we'll do. We'll weigh the pluses and minuses on what makes the most sense for us and go forward."

An MLB source said the possible 15-day suspension shouldn't have any bearing on any transaction involving Gibbons.

If the Orioles keep Gibbons on the roster, utility player Scott Moore likely would be sent to Class AAA Norfolk despite a strong performance throughout spring training. Moore beat out outfielder Tike Redman for what was expected to be a roster spot left vacant during Gibbons's suspension. Redman was outrighted to the Tides on Friday.

"I want to be on this team, of course. I mean what happens, happens," Moore said. "And if I do end up going to Triple-A, then I'll play hard there and hopefully I'll get a chance at some point. I can't get upset because if I get upset, I'll go down there and not have the focus I should have. So I mean, I'm not even thinking about that right now. Whatever decision's made on Sunday, I've got to deal with it."

Meanwhile, the MLB source said the 10-day stay on the suspensions could be lifted when negotiations conclude or extended if talks drag on.

"Obviously, you feel a little more comfortable when you know what's going on in all sorts of realms," said Gibbons, who went 7 for 36 (.194) in 15 spring games. "But you know, it's part of the game. I was fully prepared to serve my suspension. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen."